More hands on deck at UConn?

There is a perception, perhaps aided by me, that there is a significant jump in the number of players who have gotten into games for the Huskies this season.

Much of it is because first-year coach Bob Diaco uses multiple players at almost every position but the numbers tell a bit of a different story.

Heading into the 2013 regular-season finale a total of 64 players including 22 playing for the first time got playing time in the first 11 games of the season. This year the number is at 68 with 26 of them being first timers. The one area that I thought would vary significantly is how many opening-game starters are in line to do the same in the last game of the year. However, even that is not the case.

In 2013, of the 22 first-game starters on offense or defense just 13 started in the final game of the season (five on offense and eight on defense). This year I would say either six or seven offensive starters will be the same depending on whether UConn opens with three receivers or two running backs and six or seven on defense based on whether B.J. McBryde or Folorunso Fatukasi get the start at defensive tackle.

Where there is a noticeable change is in the class by class breakdown with four more upperclassmen seeing time in 2013 while eight additional sophomores or freshmen seeing time this season.